Ubisoft has denied that its vaunted new online DRM scheme was cracked on the launch day of Silent Hunter 5, saying that the pirated version of the game floating around online is "not complete."

Eurogamer reported earlier today that the DRM in Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic had been defeated on the same day it was released. While unconfirmed, the news would be particularly worrisome for Ubisoft if true because the game features the new "always online" DRM scheme planned for all future Ubi releases on PC that requires users to be constantly connected to the internet in order to play their games and immediately kicks them out if they're not.

Ubisoft has denied the claim, however, saying that the cracked release is incomplete, although it did not specify in what way. "You have probably seen rumors on the web that Assassin's Creed II and Silent Hunter 5 have been cracked," the company said in a statement. "Please know that this rumor is false and while a pirated version may seem to be complete at start up, any gamer who downloads and plays a cracked version will find that their version is not complete."

But users who have downloaded the pirated version of the game are disputing that response, according to GamesIndustry, and maintain that they can play the game without being online. This is obviously something we can't confirm, but whatever the case, it's clear that the fight between Ubisoft and the pirate community is now in full swing

Which makes perfect sense until the pirated version is complete, which should take about the same time.

Seriously, if you can build something, people can duplicate it. That's an elementary law of physics. What you need to do is make the legal copy easier to use than the pirated copy, THEN you'll have a better chance of fighting piracy.

I'd have thought something as simple as a hash key authenticated server would be simple enough to sort out, and that won't penalise a legitimate user.

Jesus, I'm about to give Ubisoft the award for 'Most Deluded Game Developer'. They really don't have a clue do they?

I didn't pirate it myself (don't want to add fuel to the DRM fire) and will probably be buying it legit and then cracking the DRM off it, but from what I hear it's a totally working copy that's going around.

Heh, don't they realise that without making you go to Ubi headquarters or playing directly from their servers it's impossible to make something pirate proof, if you have the vital game files in your possession then you can crack it. This new DRM is ridiculous and is harming gamers more than it is helping them which further fuels the pirate community.

Well, it's only natural they'd say that. It's damage control, meant to discourage people from using the pirated version in fear that it might not be "complete".

In mildly related news, I took a quick gander at a torrent site or two. The fascinating thing is that while I can find the crack for Assassin's Creed 2, I can't find the actual game. Granted, the crack is all I need to get rid of the damn DRM once the game comes out. Seems AC2 has moved to "Rental" category in my brain now...

I just hope Ubisoft will stop releasing games for the PC. It's painful enough as it is, and I'm not talking about the DRM and piracy. It's just a major pain in the ass to have the developers wrap up the damn PC version after the console versions have been released and the production team reduced because of vacation leaves.

Of course Ubisoft would claim the pirated version is incomplete, they are trying to save face. How the hell would they know anyway? Did they download it (gasp, breaking the law!) and play it through? I doubt it. I'm more inclined to believe the multiple users rather than Ubisoft in this one.

I have to say I saw this coming, surely by putting in such an obtuse DRM was merely giving pirates more incentive to crack it quickly...pirates, like all good hackers, love a challenge...I mean we're talking about the kinda people who crack databases and encryption for the fun of it...there's no cash involved for internet pirates, so they do they it either A) because they love it or B) for the prestige...do UBI-hacks (in the bad, journalistic hack meaning of the word) really believe you can beat that?

Hurr hurr hurr. There's no such thing as "uncrackable data protection". Any IT student can tell you that. As long as users are given the data, there's no way to protect it from intrusions. It's literally like trying to eat your cake whilst keeping it uneaten.

Just what did they hope to achieve with that DRM scheme? Are they really that stupid, or simply real-life trolls?

Moo hoo ha ha. Give it up, Ubisoft, you lose this one. I'm usually in favor of actually buying games, but your new DRM is the kind of dickishness that deserves and requires swift punishment - and what better way to serve it than a steaming hot bowl of humiliation? ^^

Well of course it's not complete, it's got a bloody great chunk of DRM missing from it!

Somewhere, someone is getting very, very rich off all this continued DRM stupidity. But it's not the publishers and it certainly isn't us. Although by now you'd think the massive money sink and total failure would have discredited them...

DRM money would be better spent on advertising, at least then it would generate some effing sales.

I'm inclined to side with pirates on this one. Really, they're not going to suffer, normal customers are, so I say let Ubisoft suffer for this idea.And Ubisoft, it's ok to admit defeat. Just because you were defeated before you had a chance to sell the game doesn't mean it doesn't count.

"Please know that this rumor is false and while a pirated version may seem to be complete at start up, any gamer who downloads and plays a cracked version will find that their version is not complete."

I can just tell that the original script followed with, "The full version of the game leaves you with an emptier wallet, a feeling of being screwed over if you are one of the 30% of Americans without broadband, and soreness in your rectum after finishing going through our DRM procedures. We at Ubisoft think this increases the value of our games."

Come on guys, look at iTunes model for music. They've made so much money because they offer convenience and ease for you when you want music or movies. That's why iTunes does so well against pirated music, you know it'll just work and your paying for convenience. Why on Earth would you make it harder for people to play your game when they pay for it?

Heh, the funny part is that no one can confirm it officially without admitting to piracy, so even if it is lies ubisoft can come down on them like a ton of bricks and get it removed (ok, i know the pirates can. But not on the general legit gaming websites.)